Born in Chicago, Segan attended Northwestern University's film school before moving to Hollywood to pursue her career. Working her way up, she eventually landed a job as a development executive for producer Gary Adelson. While working with Adelson, she helped develop such films as Nick Castle's "Tap," with Gregory Hines, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Savion Glover; and Steven Spielberg's "Hook," starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman.